A campaign against drug runners

A campaign against drug runners, say Shan rebels

Battle on the border

The multi-target operation that was launched this morning by the Shan State Army across the border was claimed as a fight against drugs by its spokeswoman. 

Khurhsen Heng-awn denied the SSA was hatching a racial war between Shans and Wa. "Our struggle is against drugs and drug-runners," she insisted. 

During the day-long fighting Shans have managed to capture Pang Maisoong, the former resistance headquarters of the late Gen Kawnzoeng (1926-91). However, a column of Burmese troops under the command of Captain Saw Naung Oo from LIB 314 (Kengtung), surrounded on all sides by the Shan fighters, continued to "give a good account of himself" throughout the day. 

Meanwhile, all schools along the border have closed, and 200 families from in the battle zone had been evacuated to Piangluang, Ban Jawng and Nawng-kawk in Chiangmai's Wianghaeng District. 

In Chiangmai, the Thai army that has been undergoing unprecedented military maneuvers along the border dismissed reports that it had been given a green-light by Rangoon to cross the border. "It's a fight between Shans and the Burma Army together with the Wa," a reporter quoted Maj Gen Picharnmet Muangmanee, Deputy Commander of the Third Army, as saying this morning.